NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: NEW YORK UP CLOSE; The Battling Borogh Presidents

Under zoning changes proposed by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, sex-related businesses would be prohibited from operating withing 500 feet of residences, schools and houses of worship, and within 500 feet of each other. Ruth W. Messinger, the Manhattan Borough President, and Claire Shulman, the Queens Borough President, spoke about the issue last week. CLAIRE SHULMAN

"The zoning as proposed works for us. Of course, we'd like the 500 feet to be 1,000. But in essence, the bottom line is that what has been proposed will protect us more than we are currently being protected and we suport it and I believe it will withstand constitutional challenges.

"No matter what we do there will be litigation, but I think we will prevail. You have to remember that we have been overrun by these establishments, especially in this borough . . . on Queens and Northern Boulevards. Right behind these stores are peoples' homes. They have no shame. These things are really destabilizing." RUTH W. MESSINGER

I strongly believe that adult-use establishments warrant further regulation. I also believe that the proposal now before the city Planning Commission offers false hope to troubled neighborhood residents and businesses throughout the city. It will essentially push these establishments from one neighborhoods - including our waterfront - where people live and work. I also don't think this plan will pass court challenges relating to First Amendment rights.

"There are other options, such as enforcing and strengthening existing signage law, implementing a registration process for owners and managers of these businesses and enforcing public nuisance laws.'

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A version of this article appears in print on July 30, 1995, on Page 13013007 of the National edition with the headline: NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: NEW YORK UP CLOSE; The Battling Borogh Presidents. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe